Fraud analyst smart cookie

ABSTRACT

A fraudulent business transaction application (FBTA) is provided in embodiments of the present invention for monitoring fraudulent transactions. When a consumer supplies account access information in order to carry out an Internet business transaction, the FBTA uses an online fraud mitigation engine to detect phishing intrusions and identity theft. Embodiments are also provided for calculating travel velocity and transaction frequency, which are useful for determining a fraudulent transaction. Further embodiments are provided for authenticating a transaction using a cookie stored on a client device and a behavior profile stored on a server.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/411,660,filed on Apr. 26, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of applicationSer. No. 11/209,885, filed Aug. 23, 2005, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/943,454, filed onSep. 17, 2004, which are each herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to techniques for detecting fraudulentonline transactions. The present invention provides methods, systems,and computer program products for operating a fraud engine that iscapable of accepting an IP address and a number of factors relating toan end user in order to determine whether a transaction is fraudulent.

The present invention also relates to methods, systems, and computerprogram products for calculating a travel velocity between two accesslocations, determining if a transaction is fraudulent based on a user'stravel velocity between two access locations, and determining if atransaction is fraudulent based on a transaction frequency. The presentinvention further relates to methods, systems, and computer programproducts for authenticating a transaction by comparing one or morefactors stored in a cookie on a client device with one or more factorsstored in a behavior profile associated with a user.

2. Description of the Related Art

The ease of hiding an identity on the Internet makes it difficult forfinancial services organizations to carry the “know your customer”mantra to the online world. In 2003 alone, Internet-related fraudaccounted for 55% of all fraud reports according to the Federal TradeCommission, up nearly 45% from the previous year. In order for financialservices organizations to continue successfully serving more of theircustomers online, creating a safe and secure environment is a toppriority. Accordingly, there is a need and desire for a methods,systems, and computer program products for detecting and preventingfraudulent online transactions as well as a need for methods, systems,and computer program products for authenticating online transactions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention provides methods, systems, andcomputer program products (hereinafter “method” or “methods” forconvenience) for determining fraudulent online transactions. In oneembodiment, an end user inputs parameters and rules concerning aparticular transaction into the system. Based on the parameters, rules,and other information concerning a particular transaction, the systemcomputes a score associated with the likelihood that the transaction isfraudulent. The score is then compared with various thresholds which maybe set by the end user. If the score exceeds the thresholds, then thetransaction is determined to be fraudulent. Data regarding thetransaction may also be output to the end user. Upon review, the enduser may change the fraud status of a given transaction.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides methods, systems,and computer program products for calculating a travel velocity betweena first and second access location, utilizing a travel velocity todetermine if a transaction is fraudulent, as well as determining if atransaction is fraudulent based upon a computed transaction frequency.

A further embodiment of the present invention provides methods, systems,and computer program products for authenticating a transaction performedby a user operating a client device which contains a cookie, whereininformation stored in the cookie is compared with information stored ina behavior profile associated with the user.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various devices maybe used to carry out the systems, methods, or computer program productsof the present invention, including cell phones, personal digitalassistants, wireless communication devices, personal computers, ordedicated hardware devices designed specifically to carry outembodiments of the present invention. While embodiments of the presentinvention may be described and claimed in a particular statutory class,such as the system statutory class, this is for convenience only and oneof skill in the art will understand that each embodiment of the presentinvention can be described and claimed in any statutory class, includingsystems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod or embodiment set forth herein be construed as requiring that itssteps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method,system, or computer program product claim does not specifically state inthe claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to aspecific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in anyrespect. This holds for any possible non-express basis forinterpretation, including matters of logic with respect to arrangementof steps or operational flow, plain meaning derived from grammaticalorganization or punctuation, or the number or type of embodimentsdescribed in the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the detailed description of exemplaryembodiments of the invention given below with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention for determining whether an online transaction is fraudulentusing an Online Fraud Mitigation Engine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer system for implementingembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention useful forcalculating a travel velocity.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention usefulfor calculating a travel velocity.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention useful forcalculating a user's travel velocity.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention useful fordetermining a fraudulent transaction using a travel velocity.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention useful fordetermining a fraudulent transaction using a transaction frequency.

FIG. 8 shows a logical overview of a computer system which may be usedto carry out the various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates logically the arrangement of computers connected tothe Internet in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention useful forauthenticating a transaction.

FIG. 11 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention usefulfor authenticating a transaction.

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present inventionuseful for authenticating a transaction.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration of specific embodiments in which the inventionmay be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detailto enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and thatstructural, logical and programming changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present methods, systems, and computer program products aredisclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention isnot limited to specific methods, specific components, or to particularcompositions, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understoodthat the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an encoder”includes mixtures of encoders, reference to “an encoder” includesmixtures of two or more such encoders, and the like.

The term “risk factor” includes any factor used in a transaction thathas some level of risk associated with it.

The term “static risk factor” includes any factor that does not changeat run time.

The term “dynamic risk factor” includes any factor that has its valuecalculated at run time.

The term “risk value” includes any number associated with a factor.

The term “risk weight” includes any number that determines how muchinfluence a factor's risk value is to the outcome of a risk score.

The term “rule” includes any conditional statement that applies Booleanlogic to risk values.

The term “risk score” includes any aggregation of risk values based on acomputation of risk values and risk weights or a rule setting the riskscore directly.

The term “online fraud mitigation engine” (OFME) includes any componentof the present invention that accepts an IP address along with a numberof factors to thereby create a risk score for a given transaction whichcan be used to determine if the transaction is fraudulent.

The term “transaction” includes any type of online activity, such asonline banking account access, credit card transactions, online billpay, wire transfers, stock trades, transactions utilizing personalinformation, and the like.

The term “transaction identifier” includes any unique system generatednumber that identifies a particular risk score model.

The term “risk score model” includes any set of logical rules,applicable static and dynamic factors, risk weights for the factors, afraud score algorithm, a risk score threshold, and reason codes used toidentify a fraudulent transaction.

The term “user” or “client” includes one or more persons, entities, orcomputers.

The terms “method(s)”, “system(s)”, and “computer program product(s)”may be used interchangeably within various embodiments of the presentinvention.

The methods of the present invention can be carried out using aprocessor programmed to carry out the various embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary operatingenvironment for performing the various embodiments. This exemplaryoperating environment is only an example of an operating environment andis not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of operating environment architecture. Neither should theoperating environment be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement relating to any one or combination of components illustratedin the exemplary operating environment.

The method can be operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with the method include, butare not limited to, personal computers, server computers, laptopdevices, and multiprocessor systems. Additional examples include set topboxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers,mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include anyof the above systems or devices, and the like.

The method may be described in the general context of computerinstructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer.Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. The method may also bepracticed in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote computer storage mediaincluding memory storage devices.

The method disclosed herein can be implemented via a general-purposecomputing device in the form of a computer 801. The components of thecomputer 801 can include, but are not limited to, one or more processorsor processing units 803, a system memory 812, and a system bus 813 thatcouples various system components including the processor 803 to thesystem memory 812.

The processor 803 in FIG. 8 can be an x-86 compatible processor,including a PENTIUM IV, manufactured by Intel Corporation, or an ATHLON64 processor, manufactured by Advanced Micro Devices Corporation.Processors utilizing other instruction sets may also be used, includingthose manufactured by Apple, IBM, or NEC.

The system bus 813 represents one or more of several possible types ofbus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or localbus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, sucharchitectures can include an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, aMicro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, aVideo Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and aPeripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus also known as a Mezzaninebus. This bus, and all buses specified in this description can also beimplemented over a wired or wireless network connection. The bus 813,and all buses specified in this description can also be implemented overa wired or wireless network connection and each of the subsystems,including the processor 803, a mass storage device 804, an operatingsystem 805, application software 806, data 807, a network adapter 808,system memory 812, an Input/Output Interface 810, a display adapter 809,a display device 811, and a human machine interface 802, can becontained within one or more remote computing devices 814 a,b,c atphysically separate locations, connected through buses of this form, ineffect implementing a fully distributed system.

The operating system 805 in FIG. 8 includes operating systems such asMICROSOFT WINDOWS XP, WINDOWS 2000, WINDOWS NT, or WINDOWS 98, andREDHAT LINUX, FREE BSD, or SUN MICROSYSTEMS SOLARIS. Additionally, theapplication software 806 may include web browsing software, such asMICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER or MOZILLA FIREFOX, enabling a user to viewHTML, SGML, XML, or any other suitably constructed document language onthe display device 811.

The computer 801 typically includes a variety of computer readablemedia. Such media can be any available media that is accessible by thecomputer 801 and includes both volatile and non-volatile media,removable and non-removable media. The system memory 812 includescomputer readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as randomaccess memory (RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read onlymemory (ROM). The system memory 812 typically contains data such as data807 and and/or program modules such as operating system 805 andapplication software 806 that are immediately accessible to and/or arepresently operated on by the processing unit 803.

The computer 801 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. By way of example, FIG. 8illustrates a mass storage device 804 which can provide non-volatilestorage of computer code, computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, and other data for the computer 801. Forexample, a mass storage device 804 can be a hard disk, a removablemagnetic disk, a removable optical disk, magnetic cassettes or othermagnetic storage devices, flash memory cards, CD-ROM, digital versatiledisks (DVD) or other optical storage, random access memories (RAM), readonly memories (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(EEPROM), and the like.

Any number of program modules can be stored on the mass storage device804, including by way of example, an operating system 805 andapplication software 806. Each of the operating system 805 andapplication software 806 (or some combination thereof) may includeelements of the programming and the application software 806. Data 807can also be stored on the mass storage device 804. Data 804 can bestored in any of one or more databases known in the art. Examples ofsuch databases include, DB2®, Microsoft® Access, Microsoft® SQL Server,Oracle®, mySQL, PostgreSQL, and the like. The databases can becentralized or distributed across multiple systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 801 via aninput device (not shown). Examples of such input devices include, butare not limited to, a keyboard, pointing device (e.g., a “mouse”), amicrophone, a joystick, a serial port, a scanner, and the like. Theseand other input devices can be connected to the processing unit 803 viaa human machine interface 802 that is coupled to the system bus 813, butmay be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as aparallel port, serial port, game port, or a universal serial bus (USB).

A display device 811 can also be connected to the system bus 813 via aninterface, such as a display adapter 809. For example, a display devicecan be a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor or a Liquid Crystal Display(LCD). In addition to the display device 811, other output peripheraldevices can include components such as speakers (not shown) and aprinter (not shown) which can be connected to the computer 801 viaInput/Output Interface 810.

The computer 801 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computing devices 814 a,b,c. By way ofexample, a remote computing device can be a personal computer, portablecomputer, a server, a router, a network computer, a peer device or othercommon network node, and so on. Logical connections between the computer801 and a remote computing device 814 a,b,c can be made via a local areanetwork (LAN) and a general wide area network (WAN). Such networkconnections can be through a network adapter 808. A network adapter 808can be implemented in both wired and wireless environments. Suchnetworking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-widecomputer networks, intranets, and the Internet 815.

For purposes of illustration, application programs and other executableprogram components such as the operating system 805 are illustratedherein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programsand components reside at various times in different storage componentsof the computing device 801, and are executed by the data processor(s)of the computer. An implementation of application software 806 may bestored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media. Animplementation of the disclosed method may also be stored on ortransmitted across some form of computer readable media. Computerreadable media can be any available media that can be accessed by acomputer. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable mediamay comprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.”“Computer storage media” include volatile and non-volatile, removableand non-removable media implemented in any method or technology forstorage of information such as computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage mediaincludes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by acomputer.

FIG. 9 illustrates a logical overview of the Internet 815 of oneembodiment of the present invention. One or more client computers 801,for example, such as the remote computing devices 814 a,b,c depicted inFIG. 8, may be connected to the Internet 815 as depicted at 901-1,901-2, and 901-3. Additionally, one or more computers 902-1, 902-2, and902-3 of the type depicted at 801 may act as servers, providing webpages via HTTP request, database access, remote terminal services,digital file download or upload, or any other desired service.Furthermore, one or more client computers, such as 901-1, may act as anInternet accessible server computer 902-1, and vice versa.

Online Fraud Mitigation Engine

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating steps for performing an onlinefraudulent transaction determination in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. At step 105, input parameters are input intothe OFME by an end user, for example, a banking institution. The OFMEprovides a run-time environment for the selected risk score model. TheOFME provides a rules based engine for receiving input parameters; forexample, a transaction identifier, an IP address, a date/time stamp, aunique identifier and a number of static factors for processing. TheOFME subsequently retrieves relevant information regarding an Internetuser's IP address; for example, the Internet user's location from aNetAcuity server. The operation of the NetAcuity server is discussed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/832,959, which is commonly assignedto the assignee of the present application, which is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

A unique transaction identifier is associated with a given Internetbased transaction and is used by the OFME to determine which risk scoremodel should be utilized for a given transaction. The Fraud Risk Advisoruses the transaction identifier for tracking purposes. The results arethen stored in a database.

Additional input parameters may be input into the OFME through end usersupplied data. For example, the end user may utilize a hot file, suspectIP list, etc., which would be used by the OFME in the determinationprocess. Once the OFME receives the specified input parameters, theFraud Risk Advisor proceeds to step 112. In step 112, the end user willselect from a set of standard risk score models or end user defined riskscore models to be used for a particular determination.

After the OFME loads the appropriate risk score model, the presentinvention proceeds to step 114 in which the OFME evaluates a given setof factors and determines a risk value for each given factor. Once therisk value has been determined for each factor associated with the OFME,the present invention proceeds to step 116 in which the OFME evaluates agiven set of rules and determines a risk score.

When the risk score has been determined by a rule match, the presentembodiment proceeds to step 118 in which the OFME executes a risk scorealgorithm to determine an aggregate risk score. The OFME uses thestandard risk value from the rules evaluation, as well as an optionalstatic risk score to determine an aggregate risk score. For example, therules based risk score could be assigned a value between 0 to 1,000. Arisk score of 0 would be assigned to a transaction perceived to behighly fraudulent, while a risk score of 1,000 would be assigned toscores perceived to have a low risk of fraud.

Dependent on the risk score calculated in step 118 and threshold limitsdefined by an end user, the OFME determines whether the transactionproceeds to step 120 or step 122. If the score exceeds the predefinedthreshold level, the OFME proceeds to step 120 because the transactionis determined to be fraudulent. Accordingly, the transaction is flaggedand forwarded to the end user for further review along with each factorvalue and a reason code for each factor value. If the score is withinpredetermined threshold limits, the OFME proceeds to step 122 becausethe transaction is determined to be valid. In the alternative, if thescore is within predetermined threshold limits, the OFME could furtherauthenticate the transaction using one or more embodiments of thepresent invention drawn to authenticating a transaction using a cookieand a behavior profile, such as the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 10,11, and 12.

At step 130, the end user receives output from the OFME for the pendingtransaction. If the transaction is determined to be fraudulent by theOFME, the end user receives the results from the OFME including factorvalues and reason codes for the transaction. In addition, the OFME willupdate the present invention's real-time statistics and store allrelevant data, for example, the IP address, regarding the transaction ina database, even if the transaction is deemed valid. The stored data isused for both reporting purposes as well as analysis purposes forupdating the risk score model's risk weights or removing certain factorsor rules. The end user has the ability to override the results of theOFME and may flag a transaction determined to be valid as suspicious ordeem a suspicious transaction valid.

FIG. 2 illustrates is an exemplary processing system 200 with which theinvention may be used. System 200 includes a user interface 220 in whichan end user may input parameters, rules, and user defined functions tothe OFME 202. User interface 220 may comprise multiple user interfaces.The user interface 220 also receives output data from the OFME 202regarding a certain transaction. The user interface 220 may be graphicalor web based, or may use any other suitable input mechanism.

Once the OFME 202 receives data from the user interface 220, the OFME202 acquires information associated with this data from, for example, aNetAcuity server 206, a validation server 204 and a behavior-trackingdatabase 208. Validation server 204 validates email addresses and areacodes supplied by the end user for a given transaction.

Behavior tracking database 208 uses a unique identifier associated witha given Internet user to determine whether a current Internet basedtransaction is in congruence with the normal behavior of the Internetuser. The unique identifier can be anything useful to uniquely identifya user, such as a user name, debit card number, credit card number, bankaccount number, or social security number. The unique identifier may beuser supplied in various embodiments, and can be stored in thesearchable behavior-tracking database 208. When the Internet userperforms an Internet based transaction, the behavior-tracking database208 is searched and geographic data along with an ISP and domain, whichmay also be stored with the unique identifier, is retrieved, ifavailable. This information is then compared to the geographic data,ISP, and domain information associated with a current IP address for thecurrent pending Internet based transaction. The result of thecomparison, an access behavior factor, is used to determine whether thecurrent pending Internet based transaction is fraudulent. If an accessbehavior violation is determined, an automated challenge/response couldbe used to validate the Internet user accessing an account in real time.If there is no history for the current IP address available in thebehavior-tracking database 208 for the Internet user, the currentgeographic data, ISP and domain information associated with the currentIP address is added to the behavior-tracking database 208. Accordingly,when an Internet user is creating an account, access behavior would notbe used as a factor for fraud detection. The behavior tracking database208 may also be used to store one or more behavior profiles described inembodiments of the present invention.

The unique identifier assigned to the Internet user may store multipleaccess behaviors. In addition, because an Internet user may change theiraccess behavior due to, for example, extended travel, change ofresidence, etc., the end user may override an access behavior violationreturned by the OFME 202.

The OFME 202 uses the information supplied by the user interface 220,NetAcuity server 206, validation server 204 and behavior-trackingdatabase 208 to determine a risk score associated with a giventransaction. Once the OFME 202 computes the risk score, the risk scoreis sent along with any relevant information concerning the transactionto behavior tracking database 208, real time statistics database 212,user interface 220, and OFME data storage database 210.

In one embodiment, OFME data storage database 210 may transfer datareceived from OFME 202 to OFME output warehouse storage 218 forlong-term storage. In addition, OFME data storage database 210 maytransfer data received from OFME 202 to both a Reporting subsystem 214and a Forensics subsystem 216 for processing and output to the userinterface 220. Forensics subsystem 216 provides the end user the abilityto look-up information generated by running a risk score model. Thus,the end user can determine why a transaction is deemed suspicious or whya transaction was not deemed suspicious. Reporting subsystem 214provides various reports to the end user, for example, the number oftransaction flagged as being suspicious.

Calculating Travel Velocity

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided forcalculating a travel velocity between a first access point and a secondaccess point using a first and second IP address. Calculating a travelvelocity has several practical uses, including determining a fraudulenttransaction, network analysis, user profiling, user account verificationand tracking, network access provider analysis, and advertising. Travelvelocity may also be a factor utilized by the OFME 202 to determine afraudulent transaction.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention useful forcalculating travel velocity. First, a first access location isdetermined based on a first Internet Protocol (“IP”) address 301.Second, a first access time is determined 302. Third, a second accesslocation is determined based on a second IP address 303. Fourth, asecond access time is determined 304. Finally, the travel velocitybetween the first access location and the second access location iscalculated 305 as a function of the first access location 301 and thefirst access time 302, and the second access location 303 and the secondaccess time 304.

A further embodiment of the present invention useful for calculating atravel velocity is logically illustrated in FIG. 4. While the embodimentof FIG. 4 continues from step 305 of FIG. 3, no particular order ofsteps is expressly or implicitly required. In this embodiment, adistance between the first access location 301 and the second accesslocation 303 is computed 401. Second, a time difference is computed 402between the first access time 302 and a second access time 304. Third,the travel velocity is calculated 403 between the first access location301 and the second access location 303 by dividing the computed distance401 by the computed time difference 402.

For illustration purposes only, according to the embodiment of FIG. 4,suppose that the first IP address is 24.131.36.54, and the first accesstime 302 is 1:00 PM EST. Methods for determining the locationcorresponding to an IP address, such as those provided by a NetAcuityserver, are used to determine that the first IP address corresponds tothe first location 301 of Atlanta, Ga., USA. Next, a second IP addressof 144.214.5.246 is provided, and the second access time 304 is 1:05 PMEST. Again, methods are used to determine that 144.214.5.246 correspondsto a second access location 303 of Hong Kong, China.

Next, the distance between the first access location 301 of Atlanta, andthe second access location 303 of Hong Kong, is computed 401 to beapproximately 8405 miles. The computed time difference 402 between thefirst access time 302 of 1:00 PM EST and the second access time 304 of1:05 PM EST is 5 minutes. Then, the computed distance 401 of 8405 milesis divided by the time difference 402 of 5 minutes, to calculate atravel velocity 403 of 8405 miles/5 minutes, or 100,860 miles per hour,which is suspiciously high.

Calculating A User'S Travel Velocity

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided forcalculating a user's travel velocity between a first access location anda second access location using a first and second IP address.Calculating a user's travel velocity has several practical uses,including determining a fraudulent transaction, network analysis, userprofiling, user account verification and tracking, network accessprovider analysis, and advertising. A user's travel velocity may also bea factor utilized by the OFME 202 to determine a fraudulent transaction.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention useful forcalculating a user's travel velocity. First, a first access location 501is determined for a user. The first access location 501 may bedetermined in a variety of ways, such as using the user's IP address todetermine the first access location 501, retrieving the first accesslocation 501 from the user's behavior profile, or by using a usersupplied first access location 501.

Second, a first access time 502 is determined for the user. A secondaccess location is then determined for the user 503 based on the IPaddress of the user. Fourth, a second access time is determined for theuser 504. Then, the method of the present embodiment calculates thetravel velocity 505 of the user between the first access location 501and the second access location 503. The user's travel velocity may becalculated using a variety of methods, including the method embodied inFIG. 4.

In a further embodiment based on FIG. 5, the first access location 501and the first access time 502 are determined from a behavior profileassociated with the user. In other embodiments, the first accesslocation 501 can be determined based on the user's last valid accesslocation. In another embodiment, the second access location 503 and thesecond access time 504 are the user's current access location andcurrent access time.

Determining a Fraudulent Transaction

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided fordetermining if a transaction is fraudulent by using a user's travelvelocity as a fraud factor. Determining if a transaction is fraudulentbased upon a user's travel velocity has several practical uses, such asstopping and deterring the theft and use of personal information online,which may result from identify theft, phishing emails, hacking, spyware, Trojans, and the like. Likewise, the same method may be used todetermine if a transaction is legitimate.

One embodiment of a method for determining if a transaction isfraudulent based upon a user's travel velocity is illustrated in FIG. 6.First, the travel velocity of a user is computed 601 between a firstaccess location and a second access location. One embodiment forcalculating a user's travel velocity is provided in FIG. 5 in steps 501through 505. Other methods for computing a travel velocity may also beemployed in the embodiment of FIG. 6. The various embodiments includedherein for determining a fraudulent transaction may utilize the OFME202.

Behavior profiles containing one or more factors may be utilized in theembodiment of FIG. 6 and in other embodiments to determine if atransaction is fraudulent, wherein a factor is at least one of an accesslocation, access date, access time, geographical location, domaininformation, network Id, connection type, one or more IP addresses, username, email address, debit card number, credit card number, bank accountnumber, social security number, HTTP header information, travelvelocity, telephone number, area code, transaction frequency, operatingsystem, processor identification number, natural language, host type,demographic information, or advertising information. Behavior profilesare useful because they allow one or more variables corresponding to oneor more factors to be persistently stored, enabling embodiments todetermine not only the travel velocity or likelihood of fraud between afirst access location and a second access location, but to determine apattern of fraudulent activity over a plurality of access locations,times, IP addresses, and the like. The behavior profile may be stored ina database such as the behavior tracking database 208 of the embodimentof FIG. 2.

Second, the method of FIG. 6 determines if one or more additionalfactors based upon the user's IP address will be computed. While onlythe user's travel velocity need be computed at 601, additional factors,including factors based upon the user's IP address may be used invarious embodiments. The types and number of additional factors computed603 may vary among the different embodiments to optimize thedetermination of a fraudulent transaction.

If an additional factor is determined to be remaining 602, then thatadditional factor is computed 603. Next, the method of FIG. 6 thendetermines 602 and computes 603 remaining additional factors until nofactors remain to be computed, causing the method of FIG. 6 to proceedto step 604.

In one embodiment based on the embodiment of FIG. 6, an additionalfactor computed 603 comprises a country, region, or city associated withthe IP address of the user. In another embodiment extending theembodiment of FIG. 6, a factor computed 603 may be a proximity of theuser in comparison to a purported location of the user associated withthe IP address. A factor computed 603 also may comprise the connectiontype of the user, such as dial-up, Integrated Services Digital Network(ISDN), cable modem, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Digital Signal 1(T1), or Optical Carrier 3 (OC3). The factor 603 may also comprise ahost type, such as personal network end point, corporate network endpoint, personal or corporate proxy, personal or corporate firewall, andthe like.

Additional embodiments extending the embodiment of FIG. 6 may utilizefactors supplied by the user, including an address supplied by a clientfor comparison with an address associated with the IP address, an areacode and telephone number supplied by the client for comparison with anarea code and telephone number stored in a database associated with theclient, or an email address supplied by the client. User suppliedfactors are useful to various embodiments of the present invention wherethe embodiments may assume that the user supplied factors are accurateas they are supplied directly by the user.

Further factors may be utilized by the embodiment of FIG. 6, such aswhere a factor is an access behavior associated with the user based ontransaction habits stored in a database that are compared with a currenttransaction. A factor may also comprise a frequency with which thetransaction is attempted or executed within a predetermined amount oftime, or a velocity with which a single IP address accesses or usesmultiple unique identifiers within a specified period of time.

In further embodiments of FIG. 6, a client may participate in thedetermination of factors to be computed at 603. For example, in oneembodiment, a client may assign a threshold level for one or more of thefactors. The client may also create one or more user defined factors,and the client may also define constraint rules for one or more factors.Allowing the user to determine factors, assign threshold levels forfactors, and constraint rules for factors allows the method of FIG. 6 tooptimally determine if a transaction is fraudulent in a method tailoredto the user.

Next, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the method determines if thetransaction is fraudulent based upon the user's travel velocity and zeroor more additional factors, such as those described above. Thedetermination 604 that a transaction is fraudulent or legitimate mayoccur in real time, near real time, or non-real time, based upon theparticular implementation of the method of FIG. 6. The user's travelvelocity may be a factor utilized by the OFME 202 to determine afraudulent transaction, and may be stored in a behavior profile residingin a behavior tracking database 208.

Transaction Frequency

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided fordetermining if a transaction is fraudulent by using a computedtransaction frequency. A high transaction frequency may be useful, forexample, where a user's personal information has been stolen anddistributed to one or more individuals who intend to make multiplefraudulent online purchases with the personal information of the user. Ahigh transaction frequency may indicate a fraudulent transaction where aparticular transaction is attempted repeatedly from the same IP addresswithin a predetermined period of time.

Likewise, a transaction may be fraudulent where the same or a similartransaction is attempted or executed multiple times and received by orat a single IP address. For example, suppose a person's credit cardinformation is stolen and distributed among a group of persons whointend to use that information to make fraudulent purchases at aparticular online retailer who operates an e-commerce server at aparticular IP address. According to one embodiment of the presentinvention, the frequency with which multiple IP addresses attempt orexecute a transaction received at a single IP address, such as theaddress of an e-commerce server, may indicate that a transaction isfraudulent. In further embodiments, the factors discussed above may beincorporated to determine a fraudulent transaction, such as travelvelocity or access behaviors retrieved from user profiles.

Determining if a transaction is fraudulent based transaction frequencyhas several practical uses, such as stopping and deterring the theft anduse of personal information online, which may result from identifytheft, phishing emails, hacking, spy ware, Trojans, and the like.Likewise, the same methods may be used to determine if a transaction islegitimate. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 provides one method forutilizing a transaction frequency to determine a fraudulent transaction.

First, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, a frequency is computed with which atransaction is attempted from a first IP address within a predeterminedperiod of time. For example, if an online purchase transactionoriginating from a first IP address is attempted or executed a hundredtimes within an hour, then the embodiment of FIG. 7 may determine thatthe transaction is fraudulent 702 based upon the computed transactionfrequency 701.

The transaction frequency 701 may be computed in various ways, includingby dividing the number of times a transaction is attempted or executedover the time period in which those transaction were attempted orexecuted. The transaction frequency may also be a factor utilized by theOFME 202 of the embodiment of FIG. 2, and stored in a behavior profileresiding in a behavior tracking database 208, also of FIG. 2.

Transaction frequency in another embodiment may be combined with thehost type of the IP address or other factors to enhance the accuracy ofthe fraud determination. For example, extending the embodiment of FIG.7, suppose that one or more transactions have been attempted from an IPaddress one hundred times within an hour. Without other information, atransaction frequency of 100 attempts per hour from an IP address mayindicate a fraudulent transaction. However, if that IP addressrepresents a network proxy or firewall which provides Internet access tomultiple users, then a transaction frequency of 100 attempts per hourmay in fact not indicate a likely fraudulent transaction. Therefore,comparing the transaction frequency to the host type of the IP addresscan optimize the fraud determination by decreasing false positives whenthe IP address represents a proxy, firewall, or other Internet gatewaywhich provides access for multiple users, several of whom may beconducting one or more legitimate transactions. Other factors such asconnection type, travel velocity, information retrieved from a behaviorprofile, geographic location, user supplied factors, and the like, mayalso be combined with transaction frequency to enhance the accuracy ofthe fraud determination.

Authentication Using a Smart Cookie

In embodiments of the present invention, methods are provided forauthenticating a transaction using a cookie and a behavior profileassociated with a user. The cookie can be described as a ‘smart’ cookiebecause it resides on a client device and stores information from abehavior profile associated with a user. Thus, contents of the cookieare tied to a behavior profile, providing a robust back-endauthentication analysis. Authenticating a transaction has severalpractical uses, including determining a fraudulent transaction, networkanalysis, user profiling, user account verification and tracking,network access provider analysis, and advertising. Further, the cookieof the present invention may be utilized by the OFME 202 to determine afraudulent transaction.

One embodiment of the present invention useful for authenticating atransaction using a smart cookie is provided in FIG. 10. First in theembodiment of FIG. 10, a behavior profile associated with a user isstored 1001 on a server, with the behavior profile including one or morefactors associated with the user. The server of various embodiments ofthe present invention includes the devices described in the embodimentof FIG. 8, such as computing device 801. The behavior profile of variousembodiments may be stored at any location, including a server, anintermediate server, an authentication server, or a client device. Thebehavior profile of various embodiments of the present inventionincludes one or more factors associated with the user, wherein a factoris at least one of an access location, access date, access time,geographical location, domain information, network Id, connection type,one or more IP addresses, user name, email address, debit card number,credit card number, bank account number, social security number, HTTPheader information, travel velocity, telephone number, area code,transaction frequency, operating system, processor identificationnumber, natural language, host type, demographic information, oradvertising information. The behavior profile also includes anencryption key associated with the user. In various embodiments, theencryption key can be chosen by the user or generated for the user.

Second in the current embodiment, the one or more factors associatedwith the user are encrypted 1002 using the encryption key to create oneor more encrypted factors. Any suitable encryption algorithm can be usedin the embodiments of the present invention to encrypt the one or morefactors, including private key encryption algorithms such as DES andpublic key encryption algorithms such as RSA.

Fourth in the current embodiment, the user initiates 1004 a transactionusing the client device, and one or more factors are derived 1005 fromthe transaction. The client device of embodiments of the presentinvention includes the devices described in the embodiment of FIG. 8,such as computing device 801. Sixth, the one or more factors stored inthe cookie are decrypted 1006 using the encryption key to create one ormore decrypted factors. Finally, in the current embodiment, thetransaction is authenticated 1007 by comparing the one or more factorsin the behavior profile with the one or more decrypted factors.

In an embodiment of the present invention extending the embodiment ofFIG. 10, the transaction is authenticated by comparing the one or moredecrypted factors with the one or more factors derived from thetransaction. In yet a further embodiment, the transaction isauthenticated by comparing the one or more factors in the behaviorprofile, the one or more decrypted factors, and the one or more factorsderived from the transaction. Additionally, the connection type factorof the embodiments can include at least one of dial-up, IntegratedServices Digital Network (ISDN), cable modem, Digital Subscriber Line(DSL), Digital Signal 1 (T1), or Optical Carrier 3 (OC3). The host typefactor of the embodiments includes at least one of network end point,network proxy, or network firewall.

Another embodiment of the present invention useful for authenticating atransaction is described in FIG. 11, which illustrates a method forauthenticating a transaction performed by a user operating a clientdevice which contains a cookie, the cookie including at least a firstidentifier associated with the client device, and wherein a behaviorprofile is associated with the user and stored on a server. First in theembodiment of FIG. 11, a first comparison is performed 1101 between oneor more factors derived from the transaction and one or more factorsstored in the behavior profile. Next, a second comparison is performed1102 between the first device identifier and a second device identifierderived from the transaction. Device identifiers in embodiments of thepresent invention include HTTP header information such as the ‘UserAgent’ string which identifies a web browser. Device identifiers invarious embodiments may also be derived from any system informationuseful for identifying a client device, including information describingthe software or the hardware of the client device.

Third in the embodiment of FIG. 11, a third comparison is performed 1103between a last access time associated with the user which is stored inthe behavior profile and a last access time stored in the cookie.Finally, the transaction is authenticated 1104 based on the firstcomparison, the second comparison, and the third comparison.

In an embodiment of the present invention extending the embodiment ofFIG. 11, the behavior profile includes a unique identifier associatedwith the user. Unique identifiers in embodiments of the presentinvention include user name, user password, debit card number, bankaccount number, social security number, or any information useful touniquely identify a user as understood by one of skill in the art.

In additional embodiments extending the embodiment of FIG. 11, thecontents of the cookie are encrypted, and a key to decrypt the cookie isstored in the behavior profile associated with the user. It is furthercontemplated that the transaction may be authenticated based on thefirst comparison, the second comparison, the third comparison, and acomparison between an IP address associated with the transaction and aplurality of IP addresses stored in the cookie.

Another embodiment of the present invention useful for authenticating atransaction is described in FIG. 12, which illustrates a method forauthenticating a transaction performed by a user operating a clientdevice which contains a cookie, the cookie including at least a firstidentifier associated with the client device, and wherein a behaviorprofile is associated with the user and stored on a server. In theembodiment of FIG. 12, a first comparison is performed 1201 between oneor more factors derived from the transaction and one or more factorsstored in the behavior profile. Second, a second comparison is performed1202 between the first device identifier and a second device identifierderived from the transaction.

A third comparison is then performed 1203 in the embodiment of FIG. 12between an IP address derived from the transaction and a plurality of IPaddresses stored in the cookie. Finally, the transaction isauthenticated 1204 based on the first comparison, the second comparison,and the third comparison.

In an embodiment extending FIG. 12, the behavior profile may include aunique identifier associated with the user. In a further extendingembodiment, the contents of the cookie are encrytpted and a key todecrypt the cookie is be stored in the behavior profile, enabling thecontents of the cookie to be decrypted.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection withexemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is notlimited to the above-disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can bemodified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations,substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, butwhich are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention.Specific embodiments should be taken as exemplary and not limiting. Forexample, the present invention may be used in a web-based application.Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the foregoing descriptionor drawings, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for authenticating a transaction performed by a useroperating a client device which contains a cookie, the cookie includingat least a first identifier associated with the client device, andwherein a behavior profile is associated with the user and stored on aserver, the method comprising the steps of: a. performing a firstcomparison between one or more factors derived from the transaction andone or more factors stored in the behavior profile; b. performing asecond comparison between the first device identifier and a seconddevice identifier derived from the transaction; c. performing a thirdcomparison between an IP address derived from the transaction and aplurality of IP addresses stored in the cookie; and d. authenticatingthe transaction based on the first comparison, the second comparison,and the third comparison.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a factor isat least one of an access location, access date, access time,geographical location, domain information, network Id, connection type,one or more 1P addresses, user name, email address, debit card number,credit card number, bank account number, social security number, HTTPheader information, travel velocity, telephone number, area code,transaction frequency, operating system, processor identificationnumber, natural language, host type, demographic information, oradvertising information.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the behaviorprofile further comprises a unique identifier associated with the user.4. The method of claim 3, wherein the unique identifier is one of a username, debit card number, credit card number, bank account number, orsocial security number.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstdevice identifier and the second device identifier each comprise HTTPheader information.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the contents ofthe cookie are encrypted.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein a key todecrypt the cookie is stored in the behavior profile.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising the step of decrypting the contents of thecookie using the key.
 9. A computer program product encoded in acomputer readable medium, the program product for authenticating atransaction performed by a user operating a client device which containsa cookie, the cookie including at least a first identifier associatedwith the client device, and wherein a behavior profile is associatedwith the user and stored on a server, the program product encoded toperform the steps of: a. performing a first comparison between one ormore factors derived from the transaction and one or more factors storedin the behavior profile; b. performing a second comparison between thefirst device identifier and a second device identifier derived from thetransaction; c. performing a third comparison between an IP addressderived from the transaction and a plurality of IP addresses stored inthe cookie; and d. authenticating the transaction based on the firstcomparison, the second comparison, and the third comparison.
 10. Asystem for authenticating a transaction, the system comprising: a. aclient device operated by a user conducting a transaction with theclient device, with one or more factors being derived from thetransaction, an IP address being derived from the transaction, andwherein a second transaction identifier is derived from the transaction;b. a cookie stored on the client device, wherein the cookie includes atleast a first identifier associated with the client device, and whereinthe cookie includes a plurality of IP addresses; and c. a behaviorprofile stored on a server, the behavior profile including one or morefactors associated with the user, wherein the transaction isauthenticated by comparing the one or more factors derived from thetransaction with the one or more factors in the behavior profile,comparing the first device identifier with the second device identifier,and comparing the IP address derived from the transaction with theplurality of IP addresses stored in the cookie.